Save the Linwood Place Community Garden

Since 2008, with the gift of three lots by the Municipal Housing Authority, For The Good, Inc. has operated and successfully managed a beautiful Community Garden in Utica on Linwood Place which is located in a poverty-stricken food desert. Hundreds of individuals and families have shared cultural farming practices from all over the world, ‘building community by growing good food.’ Suddenly, in the late summer of 2020, during the height of the pandemic when all city, county and government offices and courts were closed, we were informed that our Garden had been sold to a Russian man for back taxes. We were shocked and angered that as stewards of these public lands, they had been sold off and without notice given to us that we might secure the land. While the City had been a partner in maintenance and development we were not given any notice or consideration. We have been fighting ever since as not only was this an actionable offense but an unethical attack on this underserved community. It is now a legal battle which we have researched extensively showing irregularities by the City, the County and the MHA. Please give generously to help us win the battle to keep our Community Garden. We are under assault in many ways and need allies to stand with us for peace, justice and equity.